If your feet have been in hiding during the past few months, it's now time to make them "suitable for public viewing". After all, it is almost summertime---the time to break out the sandals, open-toed wedges and (for the fellas) flip-flops.
Of course, you could book an appointment with a nail salon to get your toes in order. But if you'd like to save a few bucks, there are some things that you can do at home too. Here are five tips for DIY (Do It Yourself) pedicures that will have your feet fresh and pretty in no time!
Get the right tools. If you've ever had your feet professionally done, then you've probably noticed that they pull out more than a pair of toenail clippers to get the job done. A big part of having a pedicure that looks professional is having professional tools. This would include toenail clippers, a toenail file, a cuticle pusher, a foot callus file and a Pumice stone. You'll also need a large bowl, a couple of towels and some fingernail polish remover.
Pumice stone. You'll also need a large bowl, a couple of towels and some fingernail polish remover.
Use them. It's now time to get your feet prepped for bathing (and pampering). First, remove all of the old polish from the nails. Then use the toenail clipper to get the length that you desire. Then it's time to pull out the file to shape them up (some people like the first toe nail to be round, while others prefer square). Once this is complete, it's now time for step three.
Soak and rub. (Rinse and repeat as needed). Once you have removed the old polish, clipped your nails and filed them (try not to go too deep into the nail bed), it's time for what a lot of people consider to be the best part: it's time to soak them. Fill up a large bowl or basin with warm water and then add some foot soak to it. There are some products you can buy at beauty supply stores, but there are also at-home recipes that are just as good. A really quick and easy foot soak recipe consists of pouring in one cup of Epsom salt, one cup of baking soda and then adding a few drops of your favorite essential oils (like lavender or peppermint) to it. Another is to combine one cup of lemon juice, three tablespoons of olive oil and one-fourth cup of warm milk and then adding that to the water as well. After about 15 minutes, either formula will have your feet silky smooth and ready for the pumice stone.
Remove the dead skin. A foot soak feels good, but it also preps the feet for using the pumice stone to remove dead skin on the heels and backs of the feet. It also makes it easier to get rid of the calluses that tend to show up on the baby toes. Once you have removed them, use an exfoliating foot rub to "even out" the skin. Again, there are a variety of store-bought options or you can use something as simple as a handful of brown or white sugar to scale off any residual dead skin. Once this is done, rinse your feet in warm water once more, dry them with a towel and you're ready for the final step.
Paint your toes. Nail and hand care is important, but what catches people's attention the most is how the nails are decorated. The same applies to toe nails. Sure, you can pick a color that matches your hands, but the fun thing about your toes is that it provides room to be more creative. Some of the more popular toe nail polish trends this season are neon colors, metallic, or you can go "Beyonce style" and wear a hue of blue. Just make sure to use a fresh bottle as often as possible (so you might want to get some of those cute mini-polishes), that you put some cuticle oil on your toe nails (before applying any polish) and that you always apply a top coat when you're done. This will keep your pedicure lasting throughout all of the swimming and walking along the beach for at least two weeks!
(Guest Post by Carol Montrose)
Of course, you could book an appointment with a nail salon to get your toes in order. But if you'd like to save a few bucks, there are some things that you can do at home too. Here are five tips for DIY (Do It Yourself) pedicures that will have your feet fresh and pretty in no time!
Get the right tools. If you've ever had your feet professionally done, then you've probably noticed that they pull out more than a pair of toenail clippers to get the job done. A big part of having a pedicure that looks professional is having professional tools. This would include toenail clippers, a toenail file, a cuticle pusher, a foot callus file and a Pumice stone. You'll also need a large bowl, a couple of towels and some fingernail polish remover.
Pumice stone. You'll also need a large bowl, a couple of towels and some fingernail polish remover.
Use them. It's now time to get your feet prepped for bathing (and pampering). First, remove all of the old polish from the nails. Then use the toenail clipper to get the length that you desire. Then it's time to pull out the file to shape them up (some people like the first toe nail to be round, while others prefer square). Once this is complete, it's now time for step three.
Soak and rub. (Rinse and repeat as needed). Once you have removed the old polish, clipped your nails and filed them (try not to go too deep into the nail bed), it's time for what a lot of people consider to be the best part: it's time to soak them. Fill up a large bowl or basin with warm water and then add some foot soak to it. There are some products you can buy at beauty supply stores, but there are also at-home recipes that are just as good. A really quick and easy foot soak recipe consists of pouring in one cup of Epsom salt, one cup of baking soda and then adding a few drops of your favorite essential oils (like lavender or peppermint) to it. Another is to combine one cup of lemon juice, three tablespoons of olive oil and one-fourth cup of warm milk and then adding that to the water as well. After about 15 minutes, either formula will have your feet silky smooth and ready for the pumice stone.
Remove the dead skin. A foot soak feels good, but it also preps the feet for using the pumice stone to remove dead skin on the heels and backs of the feet. It also makes it easier to get rid of the calluses that tend to show up on the baby toes. Once you have removed them, use an exfoliating foot rub to "even out" the skin. Again, there are a variety of store-bought options or you can use something as simple as a handful of brown or white sugar to scale off any residual dead skin. Once this is done, rinse your feet in warm water once more, dry them with a towel and you're ready for the final step.
Paint your toes. Nail and hand care is important, but what catches people's attention the most is how the nails are decorated. The same applies to toe nails. Sure, you can pick a color that matches your hands, but the fun thing about your toes is that it provides room to be more creative. Some of the more popular toe nail polish trends this season are neon colors, metallic, or you can go "Beyonce style" and wear a hue of blue. Just make sure to use a fresh bottle as often as possible (so you might want to get some of those cute mini-polishes), that you put some cuticle oil on your toe nails (before applying any polish) and that you always apply a top coat when you're done. This will keep your pedicure lasting throughout all of the swimming and walking along the beach for at least two weeks!
(Guest Post by Carol Montrose)
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Keep nail polish in a cool, dry place, like the fridge. It’ll last longer.
ReplyDeleteIf you don’t have cuticle oil, olive oil works just as well.
ReplyDeletethis is helpful!
ReplyDeleteGreat Information. We need to be careful when doing pedicures outside the home, this is an informative article on how to do it right, protect ourselves, and save money.....and still get the professional look!!
ReplyDeletelove these great tips!!
ReplyDeleteI love giving myself pedicures at home. New tips are always welcome.
ReplyDelete